College: Boise State
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 251 pounds
Positives
Strength/Violence: Even without accounting for his natural strength, Lawrence shows the willingness to brutalize his opponent on every play. That being said, he certainly has the strength to compliment his mentality. Lawrence is able to knock lineman off of their initial set with his violent punch through his impressive ability to convert speed to power.
When making his way toward quarterbacks, Lawrence violently rips and shreds at lineman, constantly keeping their arms out of his frame. At times, Lawrence was asked to split gaps and, due to his raw power, was able to do so quite well. In the run game, linemen struggle containing Lawrence.
Lawrence is stout and the point of attack and does not let anyone take advantage of him. There are very few instances in which Lawrence was openly outmatched physically on a single play, which are plays in which his pad level is poor.
Bending the Edge: Plenty of pass-rushing prospects enter the league without being able to effectively bend the edge and get around lineman. Lawrence already possesses the ability to do so. He is able to get to the arch, get low, and drive through the lineman around the edge.
His ankle flexion when doing so is not elite, but by no means is he stiff when bending the edge. Due to such ability, Lawrence will have a more noticeable impact as a pass rusher than most other rookie pass rushers that have yet to understand how to bend the edge well.
Negatives
Lack of Agility: Off the snap, Lawrence lacks explosiveness. His “get off” is average and has no room to grow, seeing as the issue is not stance related. His lack of burst off of the snap gives lineman time to get into an established set before Lawrence is able to attack.
Likewise, his burst is lacking a bit when attempting to pursuit ball carriers. In space, Lawrence’s functional fluidity is nothing more than average, and he tends to look stiff and unnatural when moving along the line of scrimmage. In a straight line, he has no issues, but laterally, he simply does not move quickly enough.
Leverage/Pad Level: Too often Lawrence will come out of his stance and stand directly upright. Doing so allows opposing lineman to get under Lawrence and keep him at bay because it is much tougher to win a battle of brute strength without leverage.
As they say, “The lower man wins” and Lawrence is not that lower man as often as an elite pass rusher would be. Now, it can certainly be coached out of him, but as of now, it is a huge chink in Lawrence's armor.
NFL Comparison
Trent Cole, Philadelphia Eagles
Cole may be a bit more agile, but in terms of raw power and pursuit ability, Lawrence is comparable to Cole. Likewise, Cole’s frame (6’3”, 270 pounds) is where Lawrence’s frame likely maxes out, making the two comparable even to the common eye.
Draft Outlook
Slowly but surely, Lawrence has been picking up steam as a legitimate first round pass rushing prospect. For teams in need of a pass rushing outside linebacker near the end of the first round or early in the second round, Lawrence should be heavily considered as he may be suited for the position aside from Jadeveon Clowney. While he deserves to go in the first round due to his talent, the hype surrounding other players at the position may force him to the second round.
Best Fits
The New Orleans Saints are lacking a dominant edge presence and Lawrence can be that guy. Picking near the end of the first round, Lawrence will likely be available and will become a threatening pass rusher for them, which is need in a division that has quarterbacks like Cam Newton, Matt Ryan, and even Mike Glennon.
At the top of the second round, the Atlanta Falcons may be lucky enough to have Lawrence fall into their laps. If that is the case, he can be their primary edge rusher immediately and be a solid contributor as a rookie.